Limerick, Ireland – A scheduled reunion organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (A.O.H.) faced an unexpected setback, leaving members disheartened and prompting a call for public clarification. The event, initially planned for St. Patrick’s Eve at Cruise’s Hotel, encountered an abrupt twist, leading to its cancellation.
The A.O.H. Committee, responsible for coordinating the gathering, had diligently arranged the affair with the proprietor of Cruise’s Hotel well in advance. The agreement specified the reunion to commence at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday night, with the committee meticulously preparing a program encompassing speeches, toasts, and musical performances. The event, a significant fixture in Limerick’s social calendar, was anticipated with enthusiasm, especially by the approximately 1,500 A.O.H. members in the city.
In the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Eve, the local press had acknowledged the impending reunion. However, a sudden turn of events transpired on the Friday before the scheduled gathering. An unforeseen announcement emerged in the Limerick Leader, revealing that the venue, Cruise’s Hotel, would no longer be hosting the reunion.
On Saturday, March 15th, just one day before the planned festivities, the A.O.H. Committee found themselves in a perplexing situation. The proprietor of Cruise’s Hotel conveyed an unexpected message to one of the committee members. According to the hotel owner, the police authorities had intervened, rendering it impossible for the hotel to host the event on St. Patrick’s Eve.
In a subsequent meeting on Saturday night, a delegation from the A.O.H. approached the management of Cruise’s Hotel to seek clarification. The proprietor’s representative reiterated the earlier statement, confirming that police intervention had led to the unavailability of the venue. With little time to make alternative arrangements, the A.O.H. was left with no choice but to cancel the reunion, dampening the spirits of Hibernian Nationalists in Limerick who had hoped to celebrate the National Festival in their preferred manner.
The abrupt cancellation has sparked a strong sentiment in Limerick, with a growing demand for a comprehensive public explanation regarding the sequence of events. The community is seeking clarity on the nature of the alleged police intervention and the subsequent impact on the planned gathering. As members reflect on this unexpected turn of events, the city awaits a transparent account that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding the disrupted St. Patrick’s Eve reunion.
Dublin Leader – Saturday 29 March 1913
